Screw and washer assembling machine and method



W, M, HANNEMAN SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 17, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet W. M. HANNEMAN 12,152,591

SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHNE AND 1VIF.'1'.'IIODl Filed Feb. 17, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 28, 19319. w M HANNEMAN 2,52,591

SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 17, 19574 9 sheets-sheet 4' 6 lf E90 J6 JV so i 576 March 28, 1939. l w, M, HANNEMAN 2,152,591

SCREWv AND WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHINE ND METHOD Filed Feb. 17, 1957 9 Shee`tS-SheefIv 5 immun IMarch 28, 1939. wA M. HANNEMAN 2,152,591

SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 17, 1937 9 sheets-sheet 6 if /V March 28, 1939. w. M. HANNEMAN 2,152,591A

SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 17, 1957 9 sheets-sheet '7 150 140 J 46 130 ,w m

Marh 28, 1939. w M, HANNEMAN 2,152,591

SCREW AD WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 1'7, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 ff/G. E0. jai@ gll (aiu E V E E9e E74 Z94- 364 293 09 lll 506" g E 3B@ aa i 1 I 366 EQ 3 6,/ L l /G. fr. -/G. f5. a@ 19751543 34 3oz o4 f 0 3 2.94

59E B5 Egg Z9 jwdenzf March 28, 1939. w. MA HANNEMAN 25152591 SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 17. 19:57-

9 Sheets-Sheet 9 NM @b5 Q mlw! @gf/MM www m/ LF- ---HM -ll l Patented Mar. 28, 17939 UNITED STA-Tes.

SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLING MACHINE AND ME'rnon Walter M. Hanneman, Oak Park, Ill., `assiignor to Illinois Tool Works, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 17, 1937, Serial No. 126,292

58 Claims.

It is an object of this invention to devise a method of handling screws and washers, particularly lock washers, which shall reduce to a minimum the cost of fastening two or more work pieces together by means of these elements.

It is another object 'of this invention to provide a method and a machine for assembling screws and. washers which shall so anchor a washer to a screw that the assembly may be handled thereafter as a unit.

It is well known that by the rolling process of forming threads on a screw blank, the surface material of the blank is projected outwardly in proportion to the depth that the ribs oi the thread-rolling die cut into the blank, and therefore the diameter of the nished screw is greater than the diameter of the original blank. It has heretofore been proposed to take advantage of this increase inv diameter for the purpose of rel taining a washer on a screw by placing the washer on the screw blank prior to the rolling ci the threads. It is accordingly a further object ci this invention to provide a machine for assembling washers and screw blanks and, while retaining the blank and washer in assembled relation, rolling the threadstherecn to thereby produce, as an article of manufacture, .a permanent unit assembly of screw andl washer.

It is a further object of this invention to devise a method for producing, as an article of manufacture, a unit assembly of a screw and a washer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of, and a machine for, selecting and conveying individual washers from a receptaele containing a'number of washers.

A further object of the invention is to devise a method of, and a machine for, feeding screw blanks and washers in proper juxtaposition and alinement for assembly.4

Other objects and advantages of this invention 'will be apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, disc-loses the method and machine of a preferred form of the present invention. l

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a part of the machine taken at right angles to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical elevation of the opposite side of the machine from that of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a portion o! the machine.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken 5 along the line 6-6 of Fig 5, with certain parts being broken away for purposes of clarity.

Fig. '7 is a vertical section and elevation taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section taken 10 along the line 8 8 0i Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along the line 9-9 oi Fig. '7.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken 'along the une ao-lo of F1g.4. 15

Fig. 11 is a substantially horizontal section taken along the line li--ll oi Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken along the line I2--l2 of Fig. 4..

Fig. 131s a detail of a part of the mechanism 20 of Fig. 12 and is taken along the line i3-I3 of' said Fig. 12.

' Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken along the line lfl--l of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section taken along the 25 line I5-l5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 isa plan View and horizontal section taken along the line l6--l6 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 1'7 is a view similar to Fig. 16 showing the parts under a different condition of operation.

Fig. 18 is a substantially vertical section taken along the line iiii8 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a substantiallyvertical section taken along the line i9--l9 of Fig. 4, with certain parts being broken away for the purpose of clarity. 4 y

Fig. 20 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 19 with the parts in a diierent position of operation.l

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Figs. 19 and 20 but with the parts in a still diierent position oi operation.

Fig. 22 is a substantiallyl horizontal section taken along the line 22- 22 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 23 is a substantially horizontal section taken along the line 23-23 of Fig. 20. 45 Fig. 24 is a substantially horizontal section taken valong the line 24-24 of Fig, 21.

Fig. 25 is a substantially vertical section taken along the line 25-25 of Fig. 4. 50

Fig. 26 is a substantially verticalsection taken along the line 26-26 of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a vertical elevation oi a screw blank and lock washer assembly prior to the rollingy o threads on thebiank.

Fig. 28 is a vertical elevation similar to Fig. 27 but with the threads rolled on the blank.

As shown in the drawings, the machine, which forms one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a main base, or pedestal 2; an auxiliary base, or body, 4 secured to pedestal 2 at an angle of approximately 80 degrees to the horizontal; a hopper or container 6 for supplying screw blanks; a container or cartridge, 8 for supplying washers; a screw bank feeding mechanism I6 for discharging blanks from the hopper 6 onto an inclined guide chute I2; a washer feed mechanism I4; an assembly mechanism I6; an inclined guide chute I6 for the screw blank and washer assembly, a pair of thread-rolling dies 2l) and 22; a transfer mechanism 24 for moving the blank and washer to the thread-rolling dies; a starter mechanism 26; and a driving mechanism 28.

Quantities of screw blanks are dumped or massed in the hopper 6 and quantities of lock washers are stacked in the container or cartridge 8. From their respective containers the screw blanks and washers are moved or fed, by the feed mechanism I4 and the guide chute I2, along predetermined paths into juxtaposition with the shank of each screw blank in vertical alinemcnt with the central hole of a lock washer; the lock washer is held stationary while the assembly mechanism I6 presses or forcibly inserts the screw blank'partially into the washer; the lock washer is then released and the screw blank, under the pressure of the assembly mechanism, is forced downwardly until the head of the screw blank engages the washer. After assembly the screw blank and washer are fed to the thread rolling dies and 22 where, in the forming of the threads, the surfac.- material of the blank is projected outwardly and permanently retains the lock washer and screw in assembled relation.

It will be apparent from this description and from the following detailed description of the machine that applicants method of. and machine for, assembling screw blanks and washers advantageously may be employed to assemble threaded screws and washers where the screw is provided, above the threaded portion, with an outwardly tapering portion for frictionally retaining the washer. In such case, the threads would be formed on the screw prior toassembly with the washer and the thread forming mechanism could then be eliminated from the machine or arranged in advance of the assembly mechanism.

The hopper and feed mechanism for the screw blanks As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the hopper or container 6 and feed mechanism I 8 for the screw blanks 29 comprise a hopper casting 36 mounted on a casting 32 for adjustment at right angles to the guide chute I2, which is formed by bars 34 and 86 which are spaced apart to provide between them a slot for the shanks of the screw blanks. 'Ihe bar 34 is mounted at its opposite ends in supporting brackets (not shown) secured to the body 4 and to the rear of the hopper 36. The bar I6 is mounted upon the supporting brackets for the bar 34 in any conventional manner to permit adjustment toward and from the bar 34 to accommodate screw blanks having shanks of dinerent sizes and a cover plate 31, which overlies-the chute I 2r, is secured in any convenient manner to the balr 86 for vertical adjustment to accommodate screws having diii'erent sized heads.

The casting 32 is adjustably mounted upon a casting 36 for adjustment along an inclined plane 40 parallel to the plane of inclination of the body 4, and the casting 38 is mounted upon the` rear of the base, or pedestal 2, in a manner to permit adjustment of said casting 36 at right angles to the body 4.

Slidably mounted in guideways formed in the hopper casting is a reciprocating plate 42, which. as it moves upwardly, picks up screw blanks from the mass of blanks in the hopper and drops them into the chute I2. A clearing device, or ratchet, 44, which is secured to a. shaft 46 mounted in a bracket 48, overlies the chute I 2 and extends into the hopper 6 to assure an uninterrupted procession of blanks down the chute and to prevent clogging of the passage to the hopper. The bracket 46 is adjustably mounted by a stud 56 on an arm 52 projecting forwardly from the hopper casting 30. The clearing device is rotated by means of a pulley 54 secured to the shaft 46, and the pulley 54 is driven by a belt 56 which passes over a sheave 58 secured to a shaft 66 rotatably journaled in a bracket 62 supported upon the body 4.

The container and feed mechanism for the washers As shown in Figs. 1, and 10 to 14, the container 8 for supplying the lock washers 63 comprises a cartridge, or cylinder, 64 having an open upper end and a lower end having an annular flange 66 projecting inwardly a slight distance to prevent the washers from dropping out the bottom of the cartridge. Adjacent its upper end the cartridge 64 is provided with a circumferential groove 68 to engage plungers 10 slidably mounted in a rearwardly projecting arm 12 of a casting 14 secured by bolts 16 to the body 4. A spring steel member 18 engages the ends of the plungers 16 and is secured to the arm 'I2 by a set screw 66. It will be apparent that the spring steel member 18 urges the plungers 16 into yleldable frictional engagement with the cartridge 64 to detachably secure the same to the arm 12. Mounted in the arm 12 in alinement with the cartridge 64, is a fixed tube, or cylinder, 82 having a cut-away portion 84 into which is inserted a complementary annular member 86 of slightly less circumference and height than the opening 84. 'I'he member 86, when in the tilted position shown in Fig. 14 is urged into frictional locking engagement against the periphery or external teeth of the top washer and prevents movement of the washer out of the open upper end of the tube 82.

A weight 88 (Figs. 1 and 2) is secured by a cable 96 passing over a pulley 92 to a forwardly extending lug 94 formed on a rod 96 guided in the bracket 98 secured to the pedestal 2. The upper end of the rod 96 is reduced in diameter and extends into the cartridge 64 in engagement with the lowermost washer of the stack ofwashers in said cartridge. The weight 66, acting through the rod 86, normally urges the washers upwardly in the cartridge against the member or wedge 86. It will be seen that the upward movement of the rod 96 is limited by the engagement of its shoulder |66 with the lower edge of the cartridge 64.

As shown in Flgs. l, 4, 'I and 9 to 18, the washer looselyv journaled on a. hub portion I|2 of the casting 14. A spring-pressed pawl ||4 pivotally mounted upon the cam ||0 is adapted to engage notches- I |6 in an index wheel or ratchet ||8 superimposed on the cam I |0 and'loosely journaled on a hollow shaft or tube |20, non-rotatably secured to and passing through the portion ||2 of the casting 14. The index wheel or ratchet ||8 4tube for guiding the rod'in. its vertical movements.v The rod |28 is provided at its upper end With'an enlarged head |34which engages the inner ends of four levers |36 overlyingthe arms |28 and pivotally connected by studs |38 to lugs |40 projecting upwardly from said arms.

At their outer ends the levers |36 carry pickup pins |42 which are slidably mounted-in the arms |26 at the outer ends thereof, and are provided With recesses |44 into which the levers |36 extend. Each lever |36 is urged in one direction by a spring |46 mounted in a recess |48 in the upper surface of the spider |24. The levers I 36 are simultaneously rotated in an opposite direction against the action of the springs |45 by the rod |28, which is operated by a lever |50 pivoted by a stud |52 to the arm |02 of the casting'14. I'he inner end of the lever |50 engages in an aperture |54 in the guide portion |32 of the rod |28,and the outer end of the lever is provided with a roller |56 for engaging the cam groove of an internal cam |58 secured to the shaft |04. As the cam |58 rotates with. the shaft |04, the roller |56 in moving upward in the groove of the cam will rotatev the lever |50 counterclockwise to move the rod |28 downwardly, and the rod |28 will be moved upwardly as the roller |56 descends into the cam groove, under the action of the springs |08 by means of the levers |36 acting against the head |34 of the rod. Adjustable set screws |60 threaded in the levers |38 are provided for the purpose of limiting the rotation of the levers relative to the arms |26.

As shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 1'4, the mwer half.

of each pick-up pin |42 is divided into quadrants, or prongs,|66 by intersecting slots |62 and |64. Each prong portion carries at its lower end a tapering tip |88 which terminates in a shoulder |10. As the pin |42 descends into the tube 82, the tapering tips of the prongs |66 engage inl the central hole of the washer and are forced inwardly thereby and held in engagement with the washer by the inherent resiliency of the prongs. The shoulder |10 limits the inward movement of the prongs relative to the washer and engages the upper surface of said washer.

A spring steel member |12, secured by bolts |14 to the arm |02, is held by the disk |06 in engagement with a pin |16 secured to the wedge 86 and slidably mounted in the arm 12.

|18 permits the spring member |12 to release the wedge 86, and the release of the wedge 86 allows the washers to be moved upwardly in the cartridge 64 and tube 82 by the weight 38 and permits the removal of a washer by the pick-up pin |42. As the pick-up pin |42 is moved upwardly by the cam |58, the washer is removed from the cartridge, and, upon engagement of the Upon' each rotation of the disk |06 a peripheral notch pawl ||4 with a notch ||8 in the lindex wheel ||8, the spiderl |24 will-be rotated by the disk |08 a quarter revolution to aline a succeeding pin |42 with the tube 82.

The shaft |84, to which the disk |88 and cam |68 are secured, isconnected at its lower end by gears and |82 to a shaft |84 ofthe driving mechanism 28, later to be described.`

A stop member |88 isslidably mounted in a bracket |88 secured to the arm |82 of the casting 14 and is normally urged by a spring |88 into engagement with one of the notches ||8 in the index wheel ||8. This stop member is moved rearwardly by the cam ||8 to effect the release of the index wheelfrom said stop member. 'nie surface of the cam ||8 is so formed that the member |86 will be released to engage a notch ||8 upon each quarter rotation of the index wheel, thereby providing a positive limitation upon the movement of the index wheel ||8 and the spider |24.4 w

A transfer lever |82, as best shown in Figs. 4, v and 9, is secured tu a stub slim m journaled in a bracket |98 secured to the body 4 inwardly of the casting 14. At its outer end the transfer lever carries a spring steel transfer finger |88 bolted thereto. 'lheY transfer finger |88 comprises two superimposed, sprinrg steel, angular members 200 and 202 bolted toXlever |82 along the arm portion 204 andare provided with a common slot 208 extending longitudinally of the arm 208 and terminating in a circular opening 2|0 at the inner end of the arm 268.

Prior to assembly the outer end of each of the members 200 and 202 is drilled to provide a semicylindrical aperture 2I2 and a frustro- 'conical aperture, or countersunk portion 2|4 mating with the semicylindrical portion 2|2, as

best shown in Fig. i8. The semicylindrical portion 2I2 is of a depth slightly less than half the width of the lock washer and the members 288 and 202 are assembled in such relation that the semicylindrical apertures 2I2 are in registry one with the other.

In transferring Y a washer from the pick-up pin- |42, the transfer finger is swung by the lever |82 into engagement with the washer carried by said pin. The washer being held stationary' while the finger moves into alinement with the pin, it will be forced inwardly of the aperture at the end of the transfer' finger and the semicylindrical portions. 2I2 being of a combined height slightly less than the width of the washer, the members 200 and 202. will be sprung slightly apart to thereby frictionally retain the lock washer therebetween.

It should also be noted in this connection that the diameter ofV each semicylindrlcal portion 2I2 is also slightly less than the external diameter of the washer and hence each member 200 and 202 also will be sprung apart laterally at its open end and provide a frictions! retaining force actingradially of the washer.

I'he stub shaft I 94 carries at its lower end a pinion 2|8 which is driven by a rack 2|@ slidable in guideways formed in the bracket |86, and at its outer end the rack is pivotally connected by a pin and slot connection to a vertical lever 220. The lever 220 is pivoted intermediately its ends upon a bracket 222 secured to the rear of the body 4, and at the. lower end of the lever there is secured a cam follower 224 for engaging the cam 226 rotatably secured to the shaft |84.

The cam 226 comprises three circular surfaces or dwell portions 228, l28||vandl 282 of diilerent.

diameters joined by connecting or active portions, and causes the-transfer lever |92 to move in the following manner. First, with the follower 224 ln engagement with the circular portion 228 of the cam, the lever |92 will be in itsextreme position in a clockwise direction, as shown in Figs. 9 and 16. As the cam rotates in a clockwise direction (as seen in Fig. 7), the lever |92 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction and, as the follower 224 engages the dwell 232, the lever |92 will have assumed the extreme position shown in Fig. 4. Upon continued rotation of the cam, the lever |92 will be quickly rotated or snapped in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 10, wherein the end of the transfer finger surrounds the washer carried by the forward pick-up pin |42. The transfer lever will remain in this position during the time that the follower is in engagement with 'the dwell 238, and, the pick-up pin being raised during this period, the lever |92 will be thereafter moved in a clockwise direction to again assume its extreme position shown in Figs. 9 and 16.

The operation of the washer feed mechanism will now be described. With the parts of this mechanism in the position shown in Fig. 4, the spider or selector |24 will momentarily be held stationary with the rearmost pick-up pin or selector I42 in the position shown in Fig. 10 to which lt will have been moved to select the topmost washer of the stack of washers in the manner previously described. It will be assumed that the foremost pick-up or selector pin |42 has previously selected a washer from the cartridge 64 and has retained the washer thereon during a half revolution of the spider or selector |24.

While the selector momentarily remains stationary, the cam 226 will cause the transfer lever |92 to move through its cycle of operations as follows. The cam follower 224, Fig. '1, in passing from the dwell portion 232 to the dwell portion 238 of the cam 226 will operate the transfer lever |92 and cause the transfer finger |98 to engage the washer held by the foremost pick-up pin, in the manner previously described. During the time that the follower 224 passes over the dwell portion 238, the lever |92 remains stationary but the cam |58 (Fig. 10) moves the lever |58 counterclockwise to simultaneously raise all the selector pins |42. The rearmost selector pin removes the selected washer from the cartridge 64 and the foremost pin releases its associated washer to the tarnsfer finger |98. The follower 224 then passes from the dwell portion 238 to the dwell portion 228 of the cam 226 and the transfer lever f92 is thereby further rotated in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 16,

wherein the washer held in the nger |98 is at the upper end of the guide chute I8 with its hole in alinement with the slot in this guide chute and is in position for assembly with a screw blank. During the time that the follower 224 passes over the dwell portion 228, the assembly mechanism (later to .be described) operates to'remove the washer from the transfer -nger |98 and following its removal the follower 224 passes from the dwell portion 228 to the dwell portion 232 to rotate the transfer lever in a counterclockwise direction to its original position wherein the outer end of the transfer finger |98 is spaced slightly to the rear of the path of the foremost pick-up pin |42. As the cam follower passes over the dwell portion 282, the spider or selector |24 is rotated a quarter of a revolution by the shaft |84, in a manner previously described, to thereby aline ais-ausl a. succeeding pin with the stack of washers in the cartridge 64 and to place the diametrically opposite pin in the foremost position.

The assembly mechanism The purpose of this mechanism, which is shown in detail in Figs. 4 to 9 and 19 to 24,15 to pick the foremost screw blank from the chute I2, insert it into the washer carried by the transfer finger I 98 of the washer feed mechanism, and deposit the assembly on the inclined guide chute I8. The inclined guide chute I8 is similar in construction to the guide chute I2 and comprises a bar 238 mounted upon a bracket 231 fixedly secured to the body 4, and a bar 238 adjustably secured to the bracket 231 by a bolt 239 passing through an enlarged opening 24| in a bracket 243 (Fig. 5) for movement toward and from the bar 236. The lower ends of the spaced bars 34 and 36 of the upper chute l2 may be similarly secured to the brackets 231 and 243. A cover plate 248, similar to the cover plate 31, overlies the chute I8 and is secured in any convenient manner to the bar 238 for vertical adjustment relative to said bar to accommodate screws having different sizes of heads. The chute I8, as will. be clearly seen from Figs. 1, 7 and 8, is spaced vertically below the chute I2 and the upper ends of the bars 236 and 238 terminate in cut-out portions of the bars 34 and 36 with the slots between the bars of the two chutes in alinement as shown in Fig. 9.

The assembly'mechanism I6 comprises a frame 242 pivotally mounted by studs 244 on a bracket .246 which is adjustably secured by bolts 248 to the depending ange 258 of a cover plate 252 bolted to the opstanding arm 254 of the body casting 4. The frame 242 comprises spaced legs 256 and 258, which, at their outer ends are bent downwardly and integrally connected by a plate 268, to which there is adjustably secured a projecting plate 262. Bolts 264, which pass loosely through enlarged apertures or slots in the plate 268, threadedly engage the plate 262 and secure the latter to the plate 268, and by virtue of the enlarged opening or slot permit adjustment of the plate 262 longitudinally of the frame. Adjacent its outer end the plate 262 is provided with upwardly and downwardly extending ears or arms 266 and 288 flush with the rear edge of the plate 262 and with the inner edge of a recess 218 cut inward from the front surface of the plate 262.

Slidably mounted in a bore 212 extending longitudinally of the ears or arms 268 and 268 is a plunger rod 214 having a head formed by spaced collars 216 and 218 for engaging the bifurcated end of a lever 288. 'I'he lever 288 is pivoted on an ear or lug 282 formed integrally with the plate 262 and extending vertically therefrom intermediate its ends. 'I'he inner end of the plate 262 is apertured to receive one end of a spring 284 which surrounds a pin 286 depending from the under surface of the lever 288, and at its upper end the spring bears against the lever 288 to urge the same in a clockwise direction. A Z- shaped bracket 288 is secured to the cover plate 252 between the spaced arms 528 and 258 and overhangs at its upper end the inner end of the lever 288. A set screw 298, secured in the overhanging end of the bracket 288, provides an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of the lever 288 ln a clockwise direction. f

On the front face of the ear or arm 266 within the recess 218, there is pivoted a pair of arms or fingers 292 and 294. The arm 292 forms the depending leg of a bell crank, of which the other forwardly from the leg 256 of the frame.

arm or leg 286 overlies and extends inwardly of the plate 262. The arms 232 4and 234 are connected for ,simultaneous rotation vby gear seg; ments 236 and 300 formedintegrally with their respective arms. The arms 292 and 294 extend downwardly in a plane at an angle to the axis of the plunger 214l and are prevented from moving rearwardly by the beveled surface of the arm 266. At their bottom ends the arms 292 and 294 are provided with rearwardly extending Vfingers of jaws 362 and 304, and these jaws are provided with semicircular apertures in their meeting edges, permitting the jaws to engage the shank of a screw blank 2 9 and retain the same in position beneath the plunger 214. The alined apertures v365 in the plate 262 inwardly project springs 366 into engagement with the arms 292 and 294 to thereby yieldably urge the jaws into engagement with the screw blank.

The frame 242 is -oscillated about its pivot pins 263 by a reciprocating cam bar 306 which is secured by bolts 316 to a reciprocatory bar or gate 312, and the cam engages a -roller 314 journaled on a stud 316 carried by an ear 318 projecting An adjustable set screw 326 (Fig. 19) is carried by the arm 258 and engages the cover plate 252 to limit the downward .movement of the frame under the action of gravity.

Beneath the arm 236 the plate 262 is provided with an aperture 322 .through which passes a plunger cap'32l. The plunger` cap 324 slidably receives therein a plunger pin 326 which is rounded at its lower end to engage the upper surface of an L-shaped lever 323. The lever 328 is journaled on a stud 33d which is secured to the inner face of acover, or guide bar, 332. The cover or guide bar 332 is bolted or otherwise secured to an upstanding leg of the bracket 231 and to the upstanding legs of similar brackets' (not shown) similarly positioned with respect to the Abar 236 forwardly of the bracket 231. The downwardly depending leg of the L-shaped lever 326 is beveled to engage the beveled surface of a cam plate 336 secured to the exterior face of a starter s lide bar 336 journaled in the guideway formed by the cover bar 332 and recesses in the upstanding legs of the brackets 231 (of which oneonly is shown).

It will be apparent that upon forward reciprocation of the starter slide bar 338, the lever 326 will be moved upwardly about its mounting stud by the cam face of the plate336, and that in moving upwardly the lever 326 will force the plunger pin 326 into its cap 322. vWithin the plunger capv a spring 366 is interposed between the head of the cap and the upper surface of the plungerpin, and this spring in the position.

shown in Figs. 5 and A2() normally retains the plunger cap in engagement with the under surface of the arm 236. Upon the upper surface of this arm 266 there is secured a bracket 362 which is provided with an upwardly extending arm 366 and a rearwardly extending arm 366 overlying the bifurcated lever 236. An adjustable set screw 363 passes through the rearwardly extending arm 366 and is provided at its lower end with a rounded surface to engage the lever 286 and limit the downward movement of the arm 266 relative to said lever. A similar adjustable set screw 356 passes through the lever 236 in a position to engage the upper surface of a stop pin 35i carried by the plate 262 and limit the downward movement of the lever 286 relative to said plate.

Mounted within a longitudinal slot 352 in the cover plate 31 for the chute l2 (Figs. 1 and 8), is a spring-pressed plunger 354 normally urged by its spring 366 out of engagement with bolts in the chute l2. This spring-pressed plunger 354 is positioned in the slot 352 rearwardly of the depending ear or arm 268 (Fig. 8) a distance slightly greater than the width of the heads of three screw blanks, so that with the arm 266 in a downward position (as shown in Fig. 8) the plunger will overlie the head of the fourth bolt from said arm. This plunger is operated by a bell crank^358, one arm of which extends into a recess in the front face of the plunger. The other arm of the bell crank 358 is provided with a pin 366 in a slot of which is pressed a spring strip 362, and the spring strip 362 is bent forwardly to engage at its upper end a cam 364 projecting rearwardly from the plate 262 and secured to the outer end thereof by a screw 366;

It will be apparent that as the plate 262 is moved upwardly, the cam 364 will engage the spring strip 362 and force the plunger 354 downwardly against the action of the spring 356 into engagementwith the head of the fourth screw blank and bind the same against the upper' surface of the bars 34 and 36 to prevent clogging of the` assembly mechanism. 4

Also secured to the plate 262 by the bolt 366 is a spring rod or wire 368, and this rod extends downwardly a suilcient distance to engage-the circular opening 216 of the transfer finger. As the transfer finger 98 is rotated counterclockwise (Figs. 4, 16 and 17), the end of the rod 368 will pass outwardly of the finger through the slot 266. Ii a washer has been retained in the transfer nger due to the absence of a screw blank in the assembly mechanism, the rod 368 will detach the same from the transfer finger. A pan 310, secured to the side of the body 4 be- -neath the rod 363, is provided to receive the washer under such circumstances.

Washer detecting means are provided for preventing the feeding of a screw blank by the assembly mechanism when there is no washer in the transfer nger E96. This means comprises a spring strip 312 secured in a recess in the outer face of the cover plate 332. This spring member carries at its outer end an L-shaped stop member 316, the base of which normally engages the periphery of a washer carried by the transfer finger, but which, in the event that there is no washer in the transfer finger, will project into the washer receiving aperture EEZ-2id. The inwardly extending arm of the L-shaped lever will then engage the outer end of the transfer finger to position the base of' said member in vertical alinement with the screw blank in the jaws 362 and 366, to thereby prevent the feeding of a washerless screw blank to the chute i8.

The operation of this assembly mechanism (as shown in Figs. '1, 8, and 19 to 2l) is as follows. As the reciprocating cam 363 moves forwardly, the frame 262 will be oscillated upwardly about its pivot pins 264.'. The lever 286 moves upwardly with the frame and in so moving its outer end engages the set screw 296, being thereby rotated in a counterclockwise direction, raising the plunger 'rod 212, and through the set screw 346 and bracket 322 rotating the arms 236 and 232 in a clockwise direction. The arm 292 being connected to the arm 234 by the segments 293 and 300, the clockwise rotation of the arm 232 causes the counterclockwise rotation of the arm 23d.

The movement of the lever 286 caused by the upward movement of the frame 242 and the set screw 290 will be such that the jaws 302 and 304 will be separated by a distance somewhat less than the diameter of the head of the screw blank 29. During this upward movement of the frame, the cam 394 attached to the plate 262 will engage the upper end of the spring strip 362 rotating the bell crank 359 in a clockwise direction as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and forcing the plunger 354 downwardly against the action of the spring 369 into locking engagement with the screw blank positioned therebeneath.

Subsequent to the operation of the plunger 364, the lower edge of the ear or arm 269 will rise above the heads of the screw blanks to permit the leading blank in the guide chute |2 to be fed by gravity into the Jaws 992 and 304, which, it will be noted, are slightly below the plane of the upper surface of that guide chute with the space between the jaws alined with the slot between the bars 34 and 39 of the chute. A washer, having been moved by the transfer lever |92 -into a position wherein the central opening therein is directly over the slot between the bars 236 and 239 of the'guide chute I9 and in alinement with the shank of the 'screw blank held in the jaws 302 and 394, the mechanism is now properly positioned' for the assembling of the blank and washer.

Accordingly, when the cam 309 moves rearwardly, the frame 242 will be moved downwardly under the action of its own weight, the roller 3| 4 rolling down the inclined surface of said cam. As the plate 292 moves downwardly with its supporting frame the spring 284 will rotate the lever 299 in a clockwise direction, lowering the plunger rod 214 into engagement with the head of a screw blank and permittingthe springs 306 to rotate the jaws 392 and 304 into locking engage mentv with the shank of said screw blank. Simultaneously the screw blank carried by the Jaws 392 and 394 is lowered into and passes through the central aperture in the lock washer 93, which is thereafter released from the transfer iinger |99 and rests upon the upper surface of the 'guide chute I9, the shank of the screw blank passing downwardly between the chute bars 239 and 239. 'I'he mechanism, 1111011 the continued downward movement of the frame 242, then assumes the position shown in Fig. wherein the Jaws 302 and 304 are spaced slightly above the washer' and the plunger rod 214 is in engagement with the head of the screw blank held in said Jaws.

' In this pomtion of the mechanism the cam plate 339 is in the rearward position shown in Fig. 6 and the plunger cap 324 rests against the lower surface of the arm 296 and is held in engagement therewith by the springs 306 and 340. It will be noted in this connection that the set screw 399 is spaced slightly above the upper'surface of the stop pin 36|. When the starter slide 339 (Fig. 6) moves forwardly, the cam plate 336 attached thereto forces the L-shaped lever 329 and the plunger pin 326 upwardly, compressing the spring 349. The spring 340 overcomes the resistant force of the springs 396 and rotates the arms 292 and 294 outwardly to release the Jaws 392 and 394 from the screw blank. When the jaws 302 and 304 have released the screw blank, thespring 294 will rotate the lever 290 in a clockwise direction to further lower the plunger 214 and force the screw blank downwardly to the position wherein the under surface of the head engages the upper surface of the washer and the shank of the blank extends through the holeV in the washer and into the slot between the bars 236 and 239 of the guide chute I9. This downward movement of the plunger is limited by the engagement of the stop pin 39| with the set screw 350.

The parts are now in the position shown in Fig. 21 and thereafter, the reciprocating cam 309 Fig. 19, wherein the enlarged head of the plunger cap retains the pin and cap in position on the plate 262.

The thread-rolling mechanism This mechanism (Figs. 4 and 25) comprises the reciprocating thread-rolling die 20 and an `immovable thread-rolling die 22. The die 20 is mounted with a filler block 316 (Fig. in a recess 319 in the inner face of the reciprocating member or gate 3|2 and detachably secured thereto by clamping plates 390 and 392 and bolts 394 and 396. The immovable thread-rolling die 22 and a filler block (not shown) similar to the ller block 316 are mounted in a block 390 adjustably mounted upon the body casting 4 by bolts 392 and 394 for movement toward and from the reciprocating die 20. A clamping plate 396 and bolt 399 detachably secure the immovable die 22 and flller block in the recess 399. The reciprocatory gate or member 3|2 slides in a guideway formed by the inner depending ange 409 of the cover plate 252, a beveled insert or jlb 402 and the inner face of the upstanding arm 254 of the body casting 4.

In view of the adjustabllity of the block 399 and the detachability of the thread-rolling dies, it will be apparent that various sized vdies and ller vblocks may be employed to adapt the thread-rolling mechanism for different sizes of screw blanks.

In passing through the thread-rolling dies, the surface of the screw blank 29 is projected outwardly in proportion to the depth that the ribs of the thread-rolling die cut into the blank, and therefore the finished threaded screw becomes larger than the original blank, as shown in Figs. 27 and 28, and the outwardly projecting portions of the thread retain the washer 63 in assembled relation with the screw 29. From the dies, the screw with the washer attached thereto 4falls by gravity into a receiving pan (not shown),

which may be secured to the base 2 and project outwardly beneath the outer edge of the inclined casting 4.

Transfer mechanism This transfer mechanism 24 cooperates with a guide chute 406 in transferring the assembled screw blank and washer tothe thread-rolling dies. The guide chute 406 (Figs. 4 and 25) comprises a beveled guide block 409, having its beveled surface in alinement with the lower end of the guide chute I9 and secured to the body casting 4 by any suitable bracket (not shown). A beveled cover plate 4|0 is secured to the top surface of the block 493 and in a recess in the upper edge of the fixed guide bar 288, the cover plate/ A bell crank lever 468 is plvotally secured by 4|!) being in horizontal alinement with the upper a stud 480 to a rearwardly and upwardly exedge of the adjustable guide bar 238 and the beveled surface of the covery plate being in vertical alinement with the beveled surface of the guide block 408. 'I'he rear beveled surfaces of the block 360 and immovable die 22 cooperate with the guide block 408 and coverA plate 4I0 in forming the guide chute 406, and the outer edge of the guide chute 406 is in alinement with the outer edge of the die 22.

The transfer mechanism 24, as shown in Figs. 4', 25l and 26, comprises a slide plate 4I2 mounted in guideways formed in a fixed supporting plate 414 secured to the body casting 4 in any convenient manner. At its outer end the slide plate carries a cam roller 4l6 journaled thereon by a stud 4I8, and the cam roller cooperates with a cam 420 secured to the under side of the reciprocating member or gate 3I2 for movement therewith. Passing through an aperture in an upstanding portion of the slide plate 4I2 is a' guide rod 422, and this rod is threaded at one end into an upstanding lug 424 of a casting 426 bolted on the outer end of the supporting plate 4|4. A spring 428 surrounds the guide rod 422 and at its opposite ends bears against the lug 424 of the casting 426 and the upstanding portion of the slide plate 4l2. The spring 428 moves the slide .plate inwardly and the cam 420 moves it outwardly against the action of the spring.

For locking the slide plate 4l2 against forward movement under action of the spring 428, a plunger 430 is provided, and this plunger is rotatably mounted in a, boss 432 projecting from the surface of the slide plate. To the -top of the plunger is fixed an operating knob 434 for rotating the plunger rod and moving the same upwardly against the. action of a spring 436 mounted in an aperture in the boss 432 and plate M2. The spring 436 surrounds the body of the plunger and engages at its opposite ends against the boss 432 and a shoulder formed by the enlarged head 431 formed at the lower end of the plunger. The enlarged head 431 of the plunger is adapted to be inserted, ip the rearward position of the slide plate, in an' aperture 438 formed in the supporting plate 4I4. The plunger 430 is provided with a laterally extending pin 440 which is adapted to engage in one or the other of intersecting notches 442 and 444, which are cut into the-boss 432 at right angles to each other, the notch 444 being of less depth than the notch 442. The pin 440 coacts with the notches 442 and 444 to prevent rotation of the plunger rod in either of its settings.

A transfer and stop arm 446, which is adapted to engage the shank of the screw blank beneath the washer, is mounted upon the slide plate 412 by a bracket 448. The bracket 448 is provided with a guide projection 450 which engages in the guide slot extending laterally of the slide plate 4I2, and the bracket 448 is secured to the plate 4I2 by a bolt 452 passing through an enlarged aperture in the bracket 448 for the purpose of permitting lateral adjustmentA of the bracket 448 and transfer arm 446 with regard to the slide plate. The transfer or stop arm 446 is secured to the upstanding leg of the bracket 448 by a bolt 454 passing through an enlarged aperture in the bracket, and a set screw 456, threaded in the arm of the bracket at right angles tothe bolt 454, bears against said bolt and provides a means for adjusting the transfer-.or stop arm longitudinally of the slide plate.

lfinger 412 to the arm. 4-14. is provided with a flattened head 480, which is tending arm of the bracket 448. The stud 460 is provided with a collar 462 of reduced diameter, about which -is wound the onvolutions of a spring 484, one end of the spring engaging a pin 468 carried at the lower end of the vertical arm 468 of the bell crank, and the other end of the spring engages a pin 410 mounted on the lower end of the bracket 448.

A transfer or register linger 412, which is adapted to rest on the top of the screw head during the-inward stroke of the slide plate, is slidably mounted in the horizontal arm 414 of the bell crank 458. A special stud 416, which passes through an enlarged opening in the arm 414, is threaded to engage a nut 418 for securing the The special stud 416 threaded to receive a set screw 482, the set screw 482 projecting beneath the head 488 to engage the bracket 448 and limit the downward movement of the arm 414 of the bell crank. A set Ascrew 484, threaded through a bracket 486 upstanding from the supporting plate 4I4, is adapted to engage the Vertical arm 468 of the bell crank 458 to rotate said bell crank and lift the register linger 412 to permit the foremost washer and screw blank assembly in the guide chute i8 to move in front of the transfer or stop arm 446 when the slide plate 412 is in its rearward position. A set screw 488, threaded into the front face of the bracket 448, is adapted to engage the outer surface of the adjustable guide bar' 238 to limit the forward movement of the slide plate 412.

The operation of thetransfer mechanism is as follows. As the reciprocating die 20 moves forwardly to roll the threads on a blank held between that die and the die 22, the inclined surface of the cam 420 will engage the roller 4l6 and force the slide plate 4|2 rearwardly against the action of the spring 428. In the rearmost position of the slide plate the front edge of thev transfer or stop arm 446 will be in alinement with the inner edge of the adjustable guide bar 238 and the register finger 412 will have been rotated clockwise by the set screw 484 a sufficient distance to permit the screw blank and washer to gravitate into the guide chute 406.

As the reciprocating die and the cam 428 moveV rearwardly, the spring 428 will urge the slide plate 4l2 forwardly and the spring 464 will force the register nger into tight engagement with the head of the screw blank and, the stop arm 446 being in engagement with the shank of the bolt, the bolt will be moved longitudinally of the chute 406 to its proper position centrally of. the space between the dies 20 and 22. The transfer or stop arm 446 and the transfer or register finger 412 cooperate to maintain the screw blank and washer in upright position, and during this transfer movement prevent a preceding blank from gravitating into the guide chute 406.

The starter mechanism This starter mechanism comprises the slide bar 338, which, as previously described, is mounted in guideways formed by brackets 231 and the cover or guide bar 332. This slide bar carries at its forward end a forwardlyprojectlng start finger 490 alined centrally of the space between the dies 2 0 and 22 and terminated a .slight distance to the rear of the guide chute 406.- The starter slide kbar is operated from a shaft 492 by a slotted crank 404 (Fig. into the slot of which projects a pivot stud 400 mounted on the rear end of the slide bar.

The purpose of this starting mechanism is to assist the blanks to enter the dies. which. in the conventional manner, are beveled inwardly at their rear ends to facilitate the insertion of said blanks. The starter slide bar 820 also provides means for operating, in the manner previously described.W the pivoted lever 220 which controls tbe opening movements of the Jaws 002 and 204 of the assembly mechanism. The forward movement of the starter slide bar 320 is limited by an adjustable set screw 40|. threaded into the rear n of the cover plate 222, which engages the crank 404 and limits its forward rotation.

The driving mechanism The driving mechanism comprises a ny wheel |00 secured to the outer end of a shaft |02 Journaled Yin an arm 004 prolecting rearwardly from the body casting 4, and the ywheel is driven by an electric motor (not shown) through the intermediary of a belt Ii0. To the inner end of s the shaft 002 is secured a gear |00 which'meshes u 022. The gear 022 meshes with a gear 024 mounted on the outer end of a shaft journaled in the portion 004 of the body 4. A hopper crank plate 02| and a gear I are secured to the inner end Y of the shaft l2! and the crank plate |20 is connectedby a link |22 to the reciprocating plate 42 tr are crew blank feea mechanism is, and the gear III is connected by a chain 024 to a gear 084 secured to the washer feed control shaft |04. The starter slide control cam 020 rotatably en-` gagesa cam roller 000 carried by a lever 040 which l u pivotal by a pin m to the particu m or the casting 4.

VThe lever |40 has pivoted thereto at its outer end, a block 044. The block 044 is apertured to loosely receive a connecting rod 044 which is se- 5 cured to the block by suitable nuts engaging the opposite surfaces thereof. The other end ofthe connecting rod 040 isfconnected in a similar manner to a crank arm |40 secured to the outer end of the'starter drive shaft 402 which is journaled u in the bracket 02.- 'Ihe cam roller lll is maintained in engagement with the cam 020 and the laver 040 urged in a clockwise direction to move the starter slide bar 020 forwardly by a spring 050 connected at one end to said lever and at the n other end to the portion 004 of the body casting 4. The shaft ,Ywhich operates the clearing device 44, is driven by a sheave |02 mounted on the outer end thereof, and this sheave is driven by a a belt 064 which passes arcund a sheave 050 secured to the inner end of the shaft 002.

nie operation of the driving mechanism is as follows. Inltbe 'operation of the driving mechanism the gear III rotates to move the recipro- 10 catory member or gate 2|! forwardly and at'the beginning of the forward movement the cam roller 024 engages the portion of the cam |20 which is of less radius and the spring 000, acting upon the lever 04|, moves the connecting rod |40 u and crank 046 forwardly to oscillate the shaft washer.

s,iss,sc1 y i 402 counterclockwise. Upon such counterclockwise oscillation of the shaft 402, the crank 404 will be oscillated clockwise (as seen in Fig. 8) to move the starter slide 230 forwardly and the starter inger 400 secured thereto will be moved forwardly to force the blank between the dies 20 and 22. l

The operation of the remaining parts of the driving mechanism in' reciprocating the feed plate 42, in operatingY the drive shaft |04 of the washer feed mechanism, and i'n rotating the clearing device 44 of the screw blank feeding mechanism, will be apparent from the above detailed description of this driving mechanism and need notrbe repeated.

Operation of the machine In the operation of the machine, screw blanks are fed from the hopper or container I by the reciprocating plate 42 and the clearing wheel 44 to the inclined guide chute I2. The reciprocating plateV 42 and the clearing wheel 44 are continuously operated by the driving'fmechanism 2l in the manner previously described. The screwblanks pass down the inclined guide chute I2 under theaction of gravity and are delivered by said chute to the assembly mechanism I0. The spring pressed plunger rod 054 engages the screw blank positioned therebeneath and controls' the delivery of blanks to the assembly mechanism by frictionally binding that screw blank to the guide chute. The plunger rod 354 is operated by the cam 064, carried by the assemb'ly mechanism, into engagement with a screw blank to remove the combined weight of the screw4 blanks above the plunger rod from the assembly mechanism during thevtlme that the Jaws 302 and 304 are opened to receive a screw blank therebetween; This of course prevents such interference with the proper operation of the assembly mechanism as might otherwise be caused by the frictional forces generated by the weight of the screw blanks acting against said Jaws.

Lock washers are first inserted into the car- 'tridge,or magazine, 64; the rod 00 is moved downwardly against the action of the weight 00: and the cartridge 64 is placed thereupon with the end of said rod passing through the bottom end of the cartridge. The upper end of the cartridge is then inserted into the arm 12 to detachably engage the plungers l0 and to be held thereby to said arm l2. In the manner previously described, the washers are selected from this cartridge 64 by the selector pins |42 and are carried by the rotatable selector |24 into position to be engaged by the transfer finger |90. 'I'he transfer finger |98 operates to disengage a washer from the foremost pin |42 and to transfer the disengaged washer to therassembly mechanism, the transfer finger holding the washer in alinement with the jaws 302 and 104 until the screw blank held -in said jaws has been inserted into the During the time that the jaws 002 and 204 hold a screwblank in the washer, the transfer lever'l52 is again operated, but in the reverse directioni to release the washer, which then remains in engagement with theshank of the screw blank.

The assembly mechanism i0 operates, as hereinbefore stated, to pick the foremost screw blank from the guide chute |2; to insert said screw blank into a lock washer as just above stated;

and to deposit the assembled unit on the upper end oi' the inclined guide chute Il and release it there.

The assembled units gravitate down the inclined guide chute I8 to the transverse guide chute C06, along which last mentioned chute the assembled units are moved by the' transfer mechanism 24 into position between the reciprocatory die 20 and the immovable die 22. At the instant that the gate SI2 begins to move forwardly to operate the die 20, the starter mechanism 28 is operated to move the starter finger 490 forwardly into engagement with the shank of the screw blank and to push the assembled unit into tight engagement with the dies 20 and 22. 'I'he leading edges of the dies 20 and 22 are beveled,

as previously stated, for the purpose of facilitating this insertion of the shank of the screw blank between said dies. The reciprocatory die 20 moves forwardly a slight distance beyond the immovable die 22; this carries the assembled unit beyond the end of the die 22 and the unit then drops into a suitable receiving pan.

Changes may be made in-the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacricing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. The method of assembling a screw having a clamping head with a lock washer, which .comprises feeding the screw and washer along different predetermined paths into juxtaposition and alinement, retaining the washer stationary while inserting the screw partially therelnto, releasing the washer, thereafter forcibly pressing the washer and the clamping head of the screw into close juxtaposition and while retaining the washer in such position enlarging the shank of the screw at a point on the opposite side of the washer from the clamping head so that the shank diameter of said screw element at said point exceeds the diameter of the hole in the washer.

2. 'Ihe method of assembling a screw having a clamping head with a lock washer, which comprises massing a quantity of screw blanks having clamping heads, stacking a quantity of washers, selecting a screw blank from the mass, selecting the top washer from the stack, feeding the screw blank and washer along different predetermined paths into juxtaposition and alinement, retaining the washer stationary while forcibly pressing the screw blank partially thereinto, releasing the washer, forcibly pressing the clamping head ofy the screw blank into engagement with the washer while the washer is released, temporarily retaining the washer on the screw blank, and, while so retained, rolling threads on the screw blank, beneath the washer, thereby permanently to secure the washer on the screw.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a container for screw elements, a second vcontainer for washer elements, a mechanism for assembling the screw and washer elements, means for feeding the screw elements from the vfirst container to said assembly lmechanism, and means for feeding washer elements from the second container to a predetermined position in juxtaposition to said assembly mechanism, and means for actuating said assembly mechanism to cause it to receive .each screw element fed thereto and to carry and insert said element into a washer element at said predetermined position.

4. In a machine for assembling screws and washers, the combination of a container for screw blanks, a container for washers, a mechanism for assembling the screw blanks and washers,

. means for feeding the screw blanks from the -flrst washer, a container for screw blanks, a second container for washers, an assembly mechanism, means for feeding the screw blanks from the iirst container to the assembly mechanism, means for feeding the washers from the second container to' the assembly mechanism, thread rolling mechanism, and means for feeding the assembled screw blank and washer from the assembly mechanism tothe thread rolling mechanism.

6. In a machine for assembling a screw and washer, a container forscrew blanks, a second container for washers, an inclined guide chute, means for selecting screw blanks from the container and depositing them on the inclined guide chute, a second inclined guide chute spaced vertically at its upper end from the rst guide chute,

means for .selecting washers from the second container and depositing them on the second guide chute, an assembly mechanism including means for selecting the foremost screw blank on the first guide chute and inserting the same into the washer on the second guide chute, and means operatively associated with said assembly mechanism for forming on the shank of the screw blank beneath the Washer threads having an outside diameter exceeding the diameter of the hole in the washer thereby permanently to retain the washer on the screw.

7. In a machine for assembling screws and washers, means for conveying screw blanks, means for conveying washers, assembly mechanism, thread rolling dies, means for guiding the assembled screw blank and washer from the assembly mechanism to said dies, and starter means for pushing the blanks from the guiding means into engagement with said dies. l

8. In a machine for assembling screws and washers, a mechanism for assembling screw blanks and washers, means for guiding screw blanks to the assembling mechanism, means for feeding washers to said mechanism, a shiftable control member operatively associated with said guiding means for feeding one screw blank at a time into said assembly mechanism and means for actuating said shiftable member and said assembly mechanism in proper timed relation.

9. In a device of the character described, a washer feeding mechanism comprising means for receiving a plurality of washers, means normally tending to discharge washers from said receiving means, a releasable washer engaging stop member for preventing discharge of said washers, and means *for operating said releasable member to permit the discharge of a single washer under action of said discharge means.

10. In a device of the character described, a

washer feeding mechanism comprising means for means normally tending to discharge washers from said receiving means. releasable means for preventing discharge of said washers, and means for operating said releasable means to permit the discharge of a single washer under the action of said discharge means.

11. In a machine for assembling screw elements and washers, a container for screw elements, a second container for washers, an assembly mechanism, means for feeding screw elements from the first container to said assembly mechanism, means for feeding washers from said second container to said assembly mechanism, and means carried by said assembly mechanism for discharging a washer from said washer feeding means whenever said screw element feeding means fails to deliver a screw element to said assembly mechanism.

12. In a machine for assembling screw elements and washers, a container for screw elements, a second container for washers, an assembly mechanism, means for feeding screw elements from said first container to said assembly mechanism, means for feeding washers from said second container to said assembly mechanism, and means to prevent feeding of a screw element whenever the washer feeding means f ails to deliver a washer to said mechanism.

13. In a mechanism for assembling a screw element having a clamping head with a washer element, a shiftable support, means comprising relatively movable members carried by said support for clamping one of said elements thereto, means for moving said members relatively, and means for thereafter shifting said support to cause said washer element to be positioned adjacent the clamping head oi said screw element.

14. In a mechanism for assembling screw elements and washers, a shii'table support, means carried by said support for clamping a screw element thereto, means for shifting saidv support to insert said element into a washer, and means for thereafter operating said clamping means to release said screw element.

15. In a mechanism for assembling a screw element having a clamping head with a washer element, a shiftable support, means carried by said support and engaging the shank of a screw element for clamping the same to said support, means mounted on said support for movement relative thereto and engaging the head of said screw element for preventing relative movement between said clamping means and said screw element longitudinally of said element. means for shifting said support to insert said screw element partially into a washer, and means for moving said head engaging means relative to said support to complete the insertion or said screw element into said washer.

16. In a mechanism for assembling a screw element and a washer element, a shiftable support, a plurality of levers forming jaws for engaging a screw element, said levers being pivotally secured to said shiftable support for movement therewith to insert a screw element into a washer element and for movement relative thereto into positions to receive, to clamp and to release a screw element, means for shifting said shiftable support, means actuated upon movement of said shiftable support in one direction for rotating said levers and moving said jaws a predetermined degree to receiving position, spring means for rotating said levers and moving said jaws into clamping position upon movement of said shiftbeing movable with said support to insert the clamped screw element into a washer element, and means, thereafter operable, for rotating said levers and moving said jaws into releasing position.

17. In a device of the character described, a supply oi screw elements, a supply of washer elementaan assembly mechanism, guide means for receiving and delivering a line of screw elements to said mechanism, means for delivering washer elements to said assembly mechanism, and a second guide means for conveying assembled units of washer and screwelements from said assembly mechanism, said assembly mechanism comprising a shiitable support, means carried by said support for controlling the delivery of screw elements to said mechanism from said first guide means, a plurality of levers forming jaws for engaging a screw element, said levers being pivotally secured to said shifta-ble support for movement therewith to insert a screw element into a washer element and for movement relative thereto into positions to receive, to clamp and to release a screw element, means for shifting said shiftable support, means actuated upon movement of said shiftable support in one direction for rotating'said levers and moving said jaws a predetermined degree to receiving position, spring means for rotating said levers and moving said Jaws into clamping position upon movement ot said shiftable support in the opposite direction, Said levers being movable with said support to insert the clamped screw element into a washer element, and means, thereafter operable, for rotating said levers to move said jaws into releasing position and deliver the assembled unit to said second guide means.

18. In a machine for assembling screws and washers, the combination of a container for screw blanks, a container for washers, a mechanism for assembling the screw blanks and washers, means for feeding screw blanks from the first container to said assembly mechanism, means for feeding washers from the` second container to said assembly mechanism in proper position and alinement for assembly with the screw blanks, and means operatively associated with the assembly mechanism for rolling on the shank of the screw blank beneath the washer a thread having an outside diameter exceeding the internal diameter of the washer, thereby permanently to retain the washer on the screw.

19. In a machine for assembling a screw and a washer, a container for screw blanks, a second container for washers, an assembly mechanism, means for feeding screw blanks from the first container to the assembly mechanism, means for feeding washers from the second container to the assembly mechanism, thread rolling mechanism, means for feeding the assembled screw blank and washer from the assembly mechanism to the thread rolling mechanism. and driving mechanism for said feeding means, said assembly mechanism and said thread rolling mechanism.

20. In a machine for assembling a screw and washer, a container for screw blanks, a second container for washers, an assembly mechanism, an inclined guide chute between one of said containers and said assembly mechanism, a thread rolling mechanism, a second inclined guide chute between said assembly mechanism and said thread rolling mechanism, said second guide chute at its upper end being spaced vertically from the lower end of the first guide chute, means for selecting screw blanks from the first container and depositlecting washers from the second container and depositing them on the second guide chute, and

ceiving said blanks and washers from said feeding Ymeans and assembling the same, means for conveying the assembled screw blank and washer from the assembling mechanism, a thread rolling mechanism, and means for transferring the assembled screw blank and washer from the conveying means to the thread rolling mechanism.

22. In a device of the character described, a washer feeding mechanism comprising a magazine for receiving a plurality of washers, means normally tending to discharge washers from. said receiving means, a releasable wedge in said magazine for preventing'discharge of said washers, and spring operating means for operating said releasable wedge tovpermit the discharge of a single washer under the action of said discharge means.

23. Ina device of the character described, a supply of screw elements, a supply of washer elements, an assembly mechanism, guide means for receiving and delivering a line of screw elements to said mechanism, and means for delivering washer elements to said assembly mechanism, said assembly mechanism comprising a shiftable support, means carried by said support for controlling the delivery of screw elements from said guide means to said mechanism, additional means carried by said support for receiving a screw element from said delivery controlling means, and means for shifting said support to cause said receiving means to insert the screw element into a washer element.

24. In a device of the character described, a supply of screw elements, a supply of washer elements, an assembly mechanism, guide means for a receiving and delivering a line of screw elements to said mechanism, means for delivering washer elements to said assembly mechanism, and a second guide means for conveying assembled units of washer and screw elements from said assembly mechanism,.said assembly mechanism comprising a shiftable support, means carried by said support for controlling the delivery of screw elements to said mechanism, additional means carried by said support vfor receiving a screw'element from said delivery controlling means, and means for shifting said support to cause said receiving means to insertthe screw element into a washer element and deliver the assembled unit to said second guide means.

25. The combination with thread-rolling dies, of automatic means for inserting a headed screw blank in a washer, automatic means formtransferring the assembled screw and washer to the thread-rolling dies, and means for maintaining lthe washer and the head of the blank in association with each other during such transfer.

26. Thevcombination with thread-rolling dies, of automatic means for feeding to said dies headed screw blanks inserted in washers, and

means for holding each washer in association with blank and a washer, automatic means for placing the assembled unit in the dies with the washer in contact with the outer surfaces of the dies so that it bridges the space between them. and automatic means for actuating the dies to roll a thread on the screw blank while the washer is carried by the dies.

28. The method of making combined screw and washer umts which comprises successively feeding headed screw elements bodily and transversely with respect to ytheir axes to a first station while holding each element against axial movement, successively feeding washers along a predetermined path to a second station in juxtaposition to the first station, inserting the shank of the leading screw element at the first station into the leading washer at the second station by relatively shifting the screw element and the washer axially until the washer is positioned adjacent the head of the screw. element, and, while so retained, extruding the material of the shank of the screw element at a point beyond the exposed side of the washer so that the washer is retained between the head and the extruded portion of tthe shank of the screw element.

v29. In a machine for manufacturing combined screw and washer units, a container for screw elements, a second container for washer elements, means for positioning a washer adjacent the head of each screw element, means for feeding the screw elements from the first container to the positioning means, means for feeding the washers from the second container to the positioning means, a mechanism for extruding the metal of the screw element at a point beyond the free side of the washer so that the washer is retained between the head and the extruded portion of the screw element, and means for feeding each assembled screw and washer unit from the positioning means to the extruding mechanism.

30. In a machine for manufacturing combined screw and washer units, a first container for screw elements, a second container for washers, an assembly mechanism, automatic means for feeding the screw elements from the first container to the assembly mechanism and for feeding the assembled screw and washer units away from the assembly mechanism, said automatic feeding means including an inclined guide chute having an upper portion for feeding the screw elements into the assembly mechanism and a lower portion for receiving the screw elements from the assembly mechanism and means for discharging screw elements from the first container onto the upper portion of the inclined 55 guide chute, means for discharging Washers from the second container and for feeding them to the assembly mechanism, said assembly mechanism including means receiving the foremost screw element from the upper portion of the guide chute for inserting the same into a washer, said washer feeding means including means for preventing movementof the washer during insertion of the screw element and releasing the same thereafter, and means receiving the foremost assembled screw and washer unit from the lower portion of the inclined guide chute for extruding the metal of the screw element at a point beyond the free side of the washer so that the washer is retained between the head and the extruded portion of the screw element.

31. A mechanism for assembling screw elements and washers, a guide chute for feeding screw elements to the assembling mechanism, said assembling mechanism receiving the foremost 

